Berkeley police say beware of holiday season thieves and scammers

Police have recommended that Berkeleyans keep from becoming easy prey for holiday season criminals. Credit: Kelly Sullivan

City and state law enforcement officials are warning that the holidays are a busy season for porch pirates, package thieves, fraudsters, scammers and other criminals.

“The holidays typically bring an uptick in retail crimes such as business smash-and-grabs, theft from delivery vehicles, package thefts, plus online scams,” police Capt. Kevin Schofield reported to the Police Accountability Board Dec. 11.

“As staffing allows, we will put out extra patrols in our business districts as a deterrent, and for community outreach, our Community Services Bureau and [public information officers] will be sharing community tips to avoid being the victims of crime,” Schofield said.

BPD posted a series of holiday season safety tips on Facebook for Berkeleyans to safeguard themselves and their property:

Don’t leave packages on your doorstep or visible inside your car Be cautious when shopping online; avoid suspicious links and don’t share sensitive information Always lock your doors and windows when leaving your home, and be sure your vehicle is secured Stay alert, whether you’re inside the store or in a parking lot, and keep an eye on your valuables When possible, use electronic payments, as carrying large amounts of cash can make you more of a target

California Attorney General Rob Bonta encouraged Golden State residents to give to charities this holiday season but warned them to watch out for fraudsters. In a Dec. 16 statement, Bonta issued safety tips for donating safely:

Check the registration status of charities and fundraisers on California’s registry search tool Check charities’ annual financial reports to ensure they are trustworthy Don’t let telemarketers pressure you into donating; if you’re interested, seek out organizations directly yourself Be wary of lookalike and fake websites and emails, which scammers can use to steal personal information Watch out for shady organizations using names similar to those of well-established charities Don’t assume that charitable fundraisers you see on social media are legitimate Protect your identity by checking charities’ privacy policies in case they share donor lists Make sure electronic donations are actually going to your charities of choice since “anyone can create a QR code, send a text or buy a portable card reader.”